Kevan Gosper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard Kevan Gosper
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Gosper in 1951
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| Chief Commissioner of Melbourne | |
| In office 1993–1996 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 December 1933 Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | 19 July 2024 (aged 90) |
| Medal record | ||
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| Men's athletics | ||
Representing  Australia |
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| Olympic Games | ||
| Silver | 1956 Melbourne | 4 × 400 metres relay |
| British Empire and Commonwealth Games | ||
| Bronze | 1954 Vancouver | 4 × 110 yards relay |
| Bronze | 1958 Cardiff | 4 × 110 yards relay |
Richard Kevan Gosper (born December 19, 1933 – died July 19, 2024) was an important Australian athlete. He was best known for running in 400-metre races. After his sports career, he became a leader in the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He also led a big company called Shell Australia. Gosper passed away at the age of 90.
Contents
Kevan Gosper's Olympic Journey
Kevan Gosper was a talented runner. He represented Australia in the 1956 Summer Olympics. These Games were held in his home country, in Melbourne.
Winning an Olympic Medal
At the 1956 Olympics, Gosper achieved a great success. He won a silver medal for Australia. This was in the 4 × 400 metre relay race. His teammates were Graham Gipson, Leon Gregory, and David Lean. Together, they ran a fantastic race.
Leadership in Sport and Business
After his time as an athlete, Kevan Gosper took on many big roles. He became a very influential person in the world of sports. He also held important positions in business.
Working with the Olympic Committee
Kevan Gosper joined the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1977. The IOC is the group that organizes the Olympic Games. He was a vice president for the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG). This committee helped plan the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.
He also led other important Olympic groups. He was in charge of the IOC Press Commission. This group works with the media during the Olympics. He also helped coordinate the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Gosper was also the president of the Oceania National Olympic Committees. This group represents Olympic sports in countries near Australia.
Supporting Australian Sport
Gosper played a big part in Australian sports. He was the first chairman of the Australian Institute of Sport. This institute helps top Australian athletes train. He also led the Australian Olympic Committee for many years. He continued to be involved with this committee.
Business and Community Roles
From 1980 to 1993, Gosper was a top leader at Shell Australia. He was both the chairman and chief executive. Later, he led Shell's operations in Asia Pacific from London.
He also served the community in other ways. He was the chief commissioner for the City of Melbourne. This role is like a mayor for the city. He also chaired the National Australia Day Council. This council helps organize Australia Day celebrations. Gosper was also a director for several Australian companies. These included Crown Resorts, Visy, and Lion Nathan.
An Olympic Life
In March 2000, Kevan Gosper published his autobiography. It was called An Olympic Life. This book shared his experiences and journey.
Olympic Torch Relay Discussion
In May 2000, there was a discussion about the 2000 Summer Olympics torch relay. Gosper's daughter, Sophie, was chosen as an early torchbearer in Greece. This led to some public talk. Gosper later said he was not involved in the choice.
Awards and Recognition
Kevan Gosper received many awards for his work. These honours recognized his service to sport.
Australian Honours
In 1986, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). This is a high honour for his work in sports. In 1989, he was added to the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. This means he is recognized as one of Australia's greatest sports figures. He also received an Australian Sports Medal in 2000. This was for his contributions to athletics and the Olympic movement.
International Honours
Gosper was also honoured by several other countries. These included France, The Netherlands, Spain, Monaco, Senegal, and the Solomon Islands.
See also
In Spanish: Kevan Gosper para niños
